by If you buy links to our articles, the future and its syndicate partners can earn a commission.
The newly renovated Boeing milestones of the flight hall in the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, shows some of the most famous objects in the museum. | Credit: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Hundreds of people got up on Monday morning (July 28th) outside the National Air and Space Museum of Smithsonian and waited for the opening of the doors and the curtains that fall on five newly renovated galleries that are devoted to the history of aviation and space exploration.
The flagship of the museum in the National Mall in Washington, DC, was on the right track to see more than 6,000 visitors to the first, the returning exhibits such as John Glenn’s Mercury capsule “Friendship 7”, and all new exhibitions such as SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Parts, a Blue Origin Crew Crew and an imparting 3D printed Mars-Mars-Mars habitat.
“The reopening of our main hall with so many legendary air and space start-ups as well as completely new exhibitions gives visitors much more to see and enjoy,” said Chris Browne, the director of John and Adrienne Mars of the National Air and Space Museum. “We look forward to opening this next phase of the exhibitions for the public.”
The newly renovated north entrance to the National Air and Space Museum in the National Mall in Washington, DC | Credit: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
The new galleries are part of an overhaul of $ 900 million that started in 2018 and is expected to be completed by the 50th anniversary of the museum in July 2026. The five galleries that were premiered to the public on Monday were the second set of newly emanated and relaunched halls, which were resumed after a similar debut in 2022.
The new experiences began outside the building when its northern entrance was reopened for the public for the first time in three years. The new entrance area is located next to Jefferson Drive and has a wing -like anteroom.
From there, the doors led directly to the “Boeing milestone of the flight hall”, which shows some of the most famous objects of the museum. The hall was restored again in 2014, so that the artifacts usually remain the same, but during the closure the floor and the ceiling were replaced and the screens of the wall length added to take the preview of what the visitors can continue to go to the museum.
In addition to “milestones”, the new exhibition “Futures in Space” is located, which is supposed to regain the visitor experience from the opening degree of the National Air and Space Museum and the exhibiting room artifacts were still up to date. The premiere in this gallery are articles from companies and other event locations that explore space today, including Virgin Galactic and Axiom Space as well as SpaceX and Blue Origin.
Instead of organizing the displays after the program or historical time, “futures in space” uses the objects that they issue to examine the answers to a number of questions, e.g. For example: Who decides who goes to space? Why do we go? And what will we do when we arrive there?
A model of the new Shepard Crew capsule from Blue Origin is located next to SpaceX Falcon 9 flascent parts, a virgin galactic engine and a model of the Axiom Space in “Futures in Space”, which was opened in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. | Credit: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Related stories:
– National Air and Space Museum to reveal more renovated galleries on July 28th
– Trump’s signing of ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ includes 85 million US dollars to move the discovery of Space Shuttle from Smithsonian to Texas
– Blue Origin donates Smithsonian New Shepard Rocket and Crew Capsule
Works of art from the extensive collection and images of the museum from the pop culture to the future of space flight complete the hall, which also includes a stage and seating area for live talks and presentations.
The other galleries that were opened to the public on Monday explore aviation history, including the “Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight”, “First World War: the birth of the military air trip” and the “Allan and Shelley Holt Innovations Gallery”. The Lockheed Martin Imax Theater has also been improved and is open again.
“We look forward to welcoming many other people in these modernized and inspiring new rooms,” said Browne.
Entry to the National Air and Space Museum remains free of charge, but time entry passes on the Smithsonian website are required.
